A Carrsville resident and several members of the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors voiced concerns Thursday evening over a drug addiction rehabilitation center that is set to open at 1333 Carrsville Highway in Carrsville this year.

Affinity Healthcare Group, which provides treatment for those trying to overcome addiction to heroin and other opioids, received zoning and building permits for the rehabilitation clinic in Isle of Wight in October 2016. The group is completing building inspections to receive a final certificate of occupancy, according to an update from Amy Ring, the county's planning and zoning director.

Vice Chairman William McCarty said during Thursday's Board of Supervisors meeting he did not realize the rehabilitation center would be used specifically for drug rehabilitation.

"I think it took many of us (on the board) by surprise up here that a methadone clinic was associated with that," McCarty said. "It wasn't something readily known."

Supervisor Joel Acree also said he wasn't aware of the clinic's nature, and he didn't think any of the board members knew about the type of treatment it would provide, either.

Carrsville resident Mark Whaley spoke in opposition to the clinic's opening, stating concerns over safety and the possibility of increased criminal activity.

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"We know there are going to be break-ins," Whaley said during the meeting. "Show me one of these clinics that have opened up where the crime rate did not increase. How this got through, I don't know — but this has got to stop."

County Administrator Randy Keaton said that because the property is in a commercial zone, the group is allowed by right to open a facility in the area. He said he didn't know if the county could have gotten to the heart of the controversy — the drug treatment use — without violating what the business was "allowed to do by right."

McCarty said, in the future, it would be beneficial to get nearby residents and businesses involved during an earlier stage of the process. Chairman Rex Alphin also said the county should try to thoroughly vet new businesses that might invite controversy.

The treatment provides a needed service to the community, whether it's located in Isle of Wight or surrounding communities, Keaton said. Supervisor Rudolph Jefferson said he knows of a similar clinic in Denbigh, pointing out that the facility has security guards and cameras. He said he has not seen any issues with crime related to the center.

Supervisor Dick Grice said he wasn't aware of the particulars of the Affinity Healthcare Center on Carrsville Highway but supported the treatment facility.

"These types of facilities available are well worth the effort to have them provide community services to people that have these types of afflictions — depression and drug issues. Without them, they go unattended."

The facility will be located in the Airway Shopping Center, which is currently vacant, and is projected to open this spring. The center will employ more than 20, including physicians, pharmacists and nurses, according to Ring's update.